Former Chester Police Chief Floyd Lewis dies at 61

CHESTER - Floyd C. Lewis III, a longtime city police officer who rose through the ranks to become chief, died early Tuesday.

He was 61.

The son of the late Police Inspector Floyd Lewis Jr., he served on the Chester Police Force for 37 years before retiring as police chief in October 2010.

"This is a great loss to the city and the police department," said Lt. Colonel Darren Alston, who served as Lewis' deputy chief. "He was an excellent leader and was very supportive of his officers."

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Lewis, a lifelong Chester resident, followed in his father's footsteps, joining the department as a patrolman in 1973. He was promoted to patrol sergeant in 1995 then transferred to the Detective Division as detective sergeant a year later. In June of 1999 he was promoted to patrol major and in 2006 he was named deputy police chief. Two years later he was tapped as police chief, a position he held for two years before retiring.

"He was a great leader," said Major John Gretsky. "He cared about and supported the officers and community alike."

Both Alston and Gretsky praised Lewis for his leadership style, his quiet, even-tempered personality and dedication to the residents of Chester.

"He loved being a police officer," Alston said. "I think he loved more than anything that he had the opportunity to help people. He was always helping someone in the community."

Former Chester mayor and top cop Wendell N. Butler Jr. rode with Lewis' father, "Flu" when they were on the force. He took Lewis under his wing years ago when they both worked in the narcotics squad.

"He was a chip off the old block," Butler said. "One of the finest officers I had the privilege of serving with."

As mayor, Butler said it was a "joy" to go before city council and ask them to support "Flu 3" as Lewis was known, as his pick for police chief.

"I view him as a finer man than a police officer," Butler said, noting his commitment to the residents of Chester. "He had that smooth, calming manner."

Lewis was a graduate of Chester High School and held degrees from Penn State and Cheyney Universities. He was a member of the Epsilon Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and served as a Deacon and on the Board of Trustees at Community Baptist Church.